SPECIAL REPORT

Check here for the latest information from the hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast region and other affected areas. Items are time-stamped when entered.

Corps: Even glancing blow from Rita could flood New Orleans again

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- The commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday said New Orleans could have 2 to 4 feet of flooding if Tropical Storm Rita dumps 3 to 9 inches of rain over the city in a six-hour period.

Rita is currently predicted to hit the Texas coast as a hurricane later this week, but it could still send inclement weather over New Orleans.

In an interview with CNN, Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, the commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, said officials are most concerned about the potential rainfall and storm surge that Rita could bring "because the pump systems that normally pump out the rain water from New Orleans are only operating about 30 percent capacity."

"So, it's both concern for a hurricane and for any rains that are associated with a glancing blow," he said.

Storm surge, rain and battering winds from Hurricane Katrina three weeks ago caused three levees to fail in New Orleans, causing massive flooding through nearly all of the city. (Posted 9:35 p.m.)

Katrina death toll now 970

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- The overall death toll from Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath now stands at 970.